Sports
Hockey

DeGray says Hishon won't play

James Masters The Sun Times
Joey Hishon of the Attack eludes a sliding London Knights captain Stephen Sanza during a first round OHL playoff game at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre last March 25 .

Owen Sound Attack general manager Dale DeGray said on Wednesday that the injured centre will not play for London this season despite the Knights claiming the Stratford native on overage waivers on Tuesday.

"From everything I've been told, it's not going to happen," DeGray said. "I've talked to Colorado and they said he's not ready to play. He hasn't passed clearance for full practice. I've talked to Joey several times. He's not ready to play."

And it's unclear if Hishon will suit up at all this season as he's still struggling with post-concussion symptoms after taking an elbow to the head during the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament in May.

Owen Sound put Hishon on waivers Monday after deciding to keep goalie Scott Stajcer, defenceman Jay Gilbert and captain Mike Halmo as the team's three overagers. Every team in the league had the option of claiming Hishon.

DeGray learned of London's move after receiving a text from the league office. He texted Knights' general manager Mark Hunter to find out if London had indeed claimed Hishon. DeGray received a one-word text in reply - Yes.

"They did what they felt they had to do for whatever reason," said DeGray.

"I don't know how to look at it. They certainly did everything by the book and above board. I just don't know why they would do it."

DeGray noted he could have traded Hishon for a late-round pick, which would have increased substantially if the sniper did return to the OHL this season.

"But why would I tarnish Joey Hishon and Owen Sound by doing that?," DeGray said. "That's why I'm disappointed that he's shown up in a London Knights' overage spot."

* * *

Centre Gemel Smith headlines a group of five Attack skaters who were named to the National Hockey League's Central Scouting Bureau's mid-term rankings on Wednesday.

The Toronto native is ranked 20th among North American skaters. Smith has 18 goals and 22 assists in 40 games this season.

Forwards Jarrod Maidens and Artur Gavrus are ranked 21st and 56th respectively despite being out for several weeks with upper-body injuries. Maidens has 12 goals and 11 assists in 23 games while Gavrus has 19 points in the same number of games.

Rookie defenceman Jake Dotchin makes his first appearance on the list in 88th place. He's scored twice and added 10 assists and has a +5 plus/minus rating so far this season.

Forward Joseph Blandisi, who recently climbed into the top five of the OHL's rookie scoring race, debuts at 195th.

Sarnia's Nail Yakupov is the top-ranked North American skater. The CSB list has 145 Canadian Hockey League players including 65 from the OHL.